Metal-organic frameworks for hydrogen isotopes separation

In the face of escalating global energy demands, deuterium (D2) is receiving increasing attention as a clean and efficient energy source. However, the challenge of separating deuterium from hydrogen (H2) arises due to their considerable physical and chemical similarities. The use of porous materials to separate D2/H2, which has either high separation efficiency or ideal D2 capacity and even approaches a good balance of efficiency and capacity in the case of some advanced porous materials, is one of the most promising alternative technologies for hydrogen isotope separation. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, with their diverse structures, highly adjustable pore channels, and surface functionality, offer tremendous potential in the field of D2/H2 separation. In this review, we systematically summarize the research progress of MOFs in D2/H2 separation and discuss their advantages, challenges, and future directions from the perspectives of separation mechanisms and separation technology.